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Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)

Topic Overview

What is tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil can kill
bacteria and fungi. It comes from the evergreen leaves of the Australian
Melaleuca alternifolia tree. Tea tree oil has been used
as complementary therapy in surgery, burn care, and dental care.

What is tea tree oil used for?

People usually use
tea tree oil to treat minor cuts, burns,
acne,
athlete's foot, mild fungal nail infections,
vaginal yeast infections, and lung problems (when they
add the oil to a bath or vaporizer). Although there is little research on tea
tree oil, some studies suggest that it is safe and often effective for the
prevention and treatment of infections.1

Is tea tree oil safe?

Experts consider tea tree
oil to be safe as a topical treatment, and you can apply it directly to the
skin on a daily basis. When applied to the skin in its pure (100% oil) form,
tea tree oil seldom causes irritation. But some people develop an allergic rash
(contact dermatitis). If you are concerned that you
might develop a rash, try the oil first on a small area of skin. You can also
dilute tea tree oil with vegetable, olive, or almond oil.

Tea
tree oil is not safe to take by mouth. It is not recommended for use in the
ears, because it may cause damage to the inner ear.

The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate tea tree oil in the same way it
regulates medicines. It can be sold with limited or no research on how well it
works.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative
product or if you are thinking about combining one with your conventional
medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical
treatment and rely only on an alternative product.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.